A Florida Republican state lawmaker suggested Wednesday her colleagues should be wary of listening to demands for stricter gun laws from high school students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., as the elected officials have the “age” and the “wisdom” to enact new laws.
Elizabeth Porter, who represents Lake City, made the comments ahead of a vote in the state House of Representatives on a school safety bill. The state legislature has been debating different gun control measures, action sparked by the Feb. 14 shooting at a Parkland high school that left 17 dead.
“We’ve been told that we need to listen to the children and do what the children ask. Are there any children on this floor? Are there any children making laws? Do we allow the children to tell us that we should pass a law that says no homework? Or you finish high school at the age of 12 just because they want it so? No,” Porter said on the floor of the state House of Representatives.
“The adults make the laws because we have the age, we have the wisdom, and we have the experience,” she continued.
Last month’s shooting mobilized Parkland students to rally their elected officials, both at the state level and in Congress, to pass more stringent gun laws.
The state House passed the school safety bill Tuesday, which raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21 and implements a three-day waiting period for gun purchases.
It also bans bump stocks and gives sheriffs and school superintendents the authority to arm school staff.
The legislation now awaits approval from Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican.
